December 12, 2025
Annual farm census underway across NSW The Annual Land and Stock Return helps paint a picture of agricultural land use and livestock across NSW. Photo: Leanda Connor.
Regional

Annual farm census underway across NSW

NSW LANDHOLDERS are being asked to report their livestock numbers and land use information as part of Local Land Services’ annual farm census. The Annual Land and Stock Return collects information that helps shape the delivery of animal health and biosecurity services and prepare for emergencies such as bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks. Landholders must lodge […]

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Stroud market calls on local producers to join the buzz The Magpie Market at Stroud is looking to talk to local producers.
Local News

Stroud market calls on local producers to join the buzz

FOLLOWING the success of its debut on 15 June, the Magpie Market at Stroud District Country Club is calling on local growers and producers to take the market to the next level. Organised by new Stroud local Victoria Henderson, the market drew a strong crowd and a vibrant mix of stalls showcasing handmade goods, art, […]

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MP calls for NDIS pricing changes to be revoked Lyne MP Alison Penfold recently met with NDIS providers from across the region.
Regional

MP calls for NDIS pricing changes to be revoked

FEDERAL Member for Lyne Alison Penfold is calling on the Federal Government to urgently revoke the latest National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) pricing changes, warning of the “significant negative impacts on people with a disability living in regional and remote areas”. The changes, announced following the Government’s NDIS Annual Pricing Review, came into effect on […]

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Fire ants discovered in Tweed Heads Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). Photo: DPI.
Local News

Fire ants discovered in Tweed Heads

FARMERS are calling for a government crackdown to stamp out fire ants in NSW after the pests were discovered in Tweed Heads this week. Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are prohibited under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and high-risk materials are restricted from infested areas of south-east Queensland. On Wednesday the NSW Government confirmed an immature […]

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Flooding and power outages hit Port Stephens as wild weather returns The beginning of the storm from Shoal Bay Beach.
Regional

Flooding and power outages hit Port Stephens as wild weather returns

THE POWERFUL low-pressure system that hit the NSW coast this week resulted in flooding and power outages across Port Stephens. The extreme weather event comes just over a month after Port Stephens was last impacted by severe flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of large waves on the coastline. “We saw fairly significant wave action […]

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MidCoast Council addressing housing roadblocks
Myall Coast

MidCoast Council addressing housing roadblocks

MIDCOAST Council is attempting to make it “easier and faster to build homes in the region”, with progress discussed at last week’s Council meeting. Council has been addressing the recommendations identified in the 2023 Housing Barriers Review, which identified problems that slow down the building process and offered ways to fix them. A statement from […]

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Stinker’s History: The war years Local trawler ‘Dawn’ dressed for war. The trawler and her Captain Archie Thompson conducted valuable service in New Guinea.
Local News

Stinker’s History: The war years

DURING the early years of the Second World War, when there was a large Army presence in the Nelson Bay area, US army engineers constructed a sealed road, which was to form part of the Nelson Bay Road. In the 1940s wartime era there was an army camp for Australian troops (Far North Coast 2/2nd […]

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Public wharves close to commercial use YKnot Cruises generally offer a ferry service between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens three times a day.
Government

Public wharves close to commercial use

THE commercial use of public wharves in the MidCoast LGA has been discontinued as of 1 July, including the Yallinbah wharf on Marine Drive, Tea Gardens. The decision looks set to impact catamaran operator YKnot Cruises, which currently utilises the wharf for its Nelson Bay-Tea Gardens service. MidCoast Council resolved to discontinue the commercial use […]

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Thunderbolts Way and Barrington Tops Forest Road remain closed Despite the road closures, Gloucester and Stroud are open for business and eager to welcome visitors.
Local News

Thunderbolts Way and Barrington Tops Forest Road remain closed

KEY routes north and west of Gloucester remain closed due to extensive landslip damage and bridge washouts. Thunderbolts Way (north of Gloucester) remains closed in multiple locations due to landslips and washed-out bridge approaches. Repairs are underway, with reopening expected in approximately four weeks, restoring access to Walcha and the New England region. Barrington Tops […]

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Category D support now available for primary producers A rally in Taree calls for Category D funding to be announced.
Local News

Category D support now available for primary producers

ADDITIONAL support has been announced for primary producers in New South Wales affected by the extreme flooding event from 18 May 2025. This funding is provided under Category D of the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. The package will be available through grants administered by the NSW […]

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